Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a strong message against terrorism and state-sponsored terror activities during his address at the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines, reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening regional security and eliminating terrorism at its roots.

Highlighting India’s long-standing experience in counter-terrorism, Singh said the country’s expertise is rooted in decades of dealing with cross-border security challenges rather than theoretical study. He stressed that India’s counter-terrorism strategies have been developed through practical experience and repeatedly validated in real-world operations.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, Singh described it as a significant example of India’s approach to combating terrorism. He stated, “We demonstrated a major example of India’s approach to combating terrorism during Operation Sindoor last year, when we destroyed a large number of terrorist infrastructure sites. It was also a clear declaration of India’s stance against state-sponsored terrorism.”

The Defence Minister urged ADMM-Plus member nations to deepen cooperation by sharing practical and battle-tested counter-terrorism expertise. He emphasised that stronger collaboration through joint military exercises, capacity-building initiatives, intelligence-sharing mechanisms and defence cooperation could significantly enhance the collective ability of regional partners to address evolving security threats.

“Through joint military exercises, capacity-building programs and robust intelligence sharing, we can further strengthen our collective capabilities. We support an Indo-Pacific that is secure and resilient, where peace and stability are not merely aspirations but the outcome of our collective efforts,” Singh said.

The remarks come as regional governments increasingly focus on countering transnational terrorism, extremism and other non-traditional security threats across the Indo-Pacific. India has consistently advocated greater defence cooperation and intelligence exchange among regional partners to strengthen collective security frameworks.

At the beginning of his address, Singh expressed condolences following the Philippine Air Force aircraft crash on 23 October that claimed the lives of four pilots. He said, “I express my deepest grief and condolences over the untimely demise of four brave pilots of the Philippine Air Force in the unfortunate accident that occurred on October 23rd. In this hour of sorrow, India stands in complete solidarity with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the bereaved families.”

Singh also reiterated India’s support for ASEAN’s central role in the regional architecture, describing the organisation as a key pillar of stability and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. He stated that India envisions an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific based on a rules-based international order.

“India has always valued ASEAN’s central role. We envision an Indo-Pacific region that is open, inclusive, and based on a rules-based international order. Our long-term strategic engagement with ASEAN is built on shared interests, mutual respect, and practical cooperation,” he said.

The address underscored India’s dual focus on strengthening regional partnerships and maintaining a firm stance against terrorism, while reaffirming its commitment to a secure, stable and resilient Indo-Pacific region.

ANI